AI-driven innovation is transforming industries, with small businesses ready to capitalize as early adopters of cutting-edge technology. Introduction If you run a small business, you already know how quickly the day fills up. There is always another email to answer, another client to follow up with, and another task that somehow becomes urgent. For many business owners in Marion and across Southern Illinois, the challenge is not just growth. It is keeping everything moving wi

When a new child savings account comes with a $1,000 government contribution, it is going to get attention. That is exactly why many parents have been asking about “Trump Accounts” and whether they should open one for their child, especially with how easy it was for 2025 on the tax return. The answer can be chalked up to, it depends. For some families, especially those with a child who qualifies for the federal pilot program, opening a Trump Account may make sense simply to c

A key part of the tariff refund eligiblity is whether or not businesses paid the customs and dities themselves or were connected to a broker, limiting those who can make claims for refunds. Update: The United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), and DHL Express have stated that they will be working to request refunds for all shipments that fall within CAPE phase 1 which they were the importer of record. Once refunds start coming in, these shippers plan on passing al

New years goals are important for small businesses, allowing owners to plan and direct their energy to their goals. As we all wind down and are looking to take stock of 2025, small business owners are also looking forward to seeing what the coming year will look like through small business planning. In a year marked by tariffs, high interest rates, and uncertain consumer sentiment; Small business owners are hoping for some relief and stability to help them better project what

Retirment savings are a great way for individuals to ensure they are setup for the future, but to also save on taxes, depending on the account you use With the recent reopening of the federal government, the IRS had recently released it's updated limits for retirement contributions for 2026. Retirement contributions to plans such as a 401(k) are a great way for individuals to not only save for retirement, but to also lower their income tax bill by being able to decrease their

1040 season is right around the corner. Make sure you're not left behind and have your records organized ahead of time. As the new year approaches, it's the perfect time to make sure you're on track for a smooth tax season. Whether you're filing on your own or working with a professional, early preparation can help you avoid stress, reduce the risk of errors, and even uncover potential savings. Here are some of the most common tax preparation issues individuals face, and how

If you run a service-based business, be it HVAC, plumbing, roofing, or an agency, you have felt like you underquoted a job before. You...

Smaal retailers are dealing with the slowdown in consumer spending and belt tightening that is starting to appear in early 2025. The...

Home services have been seeing an increase in demand in 2025, either from tariff fears of from consumers staying in their houses, but the...

The first half of 2025 has been a balancing act for small restaurant owners. Sales are steady, but higher costs, staffing shortages, and...

As a business owner, understanding your accounting method is important to ensure you accurately portray your business' finances as well...

Business owners should regularly be looking at the numbers and budget their future activity. This is to offset any future surprises which...

Debt not only brings a lot of paperwork, it also complicates your bookkeeping. For most not versed in the complexities, it ends up...

Reconciling is more than a mental exercise, it's a way to ensure your accounts are good, and you're catching issues before they become...

Data Reporting and Visualization is becoming available to smaller non-profits due to the lower technical barrier of entry, allowing...

Sale of a property can lead to unexpected tax consequences for rental operators. Most rental real estate operators are aware of the tax...

The WHite House pushed out new tax legislation aimed at extending and making tax changes for individual taxpayers. The recent passage of HR 1 EAS, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, brings significant changes to individual tax provisions. The bill extends and expands several key tax benefits, delivering on former President Trump’s campaign promises to keep taxes low and to build upon the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Here is a breakdown of the major individual

The US Capital Building, where the finer points of HR1 were debated between the House and Senate up until July 3rd before being signed by...

Nonprofit leaders are able to balance having proper tools for reporting without having to overpay. Allowing them to free up funds to...

Certified Public Accountants are uniquely qualified to help small businesses and their owners are prepared and plan for taxes. Running a...